Mysuru: The long-pending velodrome project has finally commenced at Hanchya-Sathagalli, off the Outer Ring Road in Mysuru. Although announced three years ago, the project was delayed due to a shortage of suitable land. The state govt sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the project in the 2024 Budget.The facility is intended to train cyclists for national and international competitions. Land for the project was handed over by the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) near the VTU Regional Centre. The govt had also proposed a multidisciplinary sports complex alongside the velodrome, but the project was delayed due to difficulties in identifying and allotting land to the department of youth empowerment and sports.The department had sought 25 acres from the govt and MDA. In the first week of May this year, a cabinet meeting chaired by former CM Siddaramaiah cleared hurdles related to land acquisition and sanctioned 17 acres at Hanchya-Sathagalli near the VTU Regional Centre, paving the way for the project.Following the allotment, the department of youth empowerment and sports took possession of the land from the district administration and MDA. Preliminary work has begun, including surveying and levelling the land, marking boundaries, and clearing weeds and bushes for the velodrome and sports complex. The department has also written to the deputy conservator of forests and the district administration seeking permission to remove trees before construction begins.Plans for the sports complex include a football ground, four indoor badminton courts, a basketball court, four lawn tennis courts, an aqua sports unit, and academies for kho kho, wrestling and football. The cycling track will be developed under the velodrome project. Speaking to TOI, assistant director of youth empowerment and sports Bhaskar Nayak said the department has begun preparatory work, including land levelling, boundary marking and seeking permission for tree removal on the 17-acre site.Once the preliminary work is completed, the department will submit a detailed proposal to the govt seeking approval to float a global tender. The cycling track will be taken up in the first phase, followed by the construction of the multidisciplinary sports complex, he said.
